Reggae underpins new alliance

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A new Trans-Tasman force will commemorate the ANZAC
spirit, writes Patrick Donovan.

New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders have traditionally had a
strong spiritual connection with reggae. Bob Marley attracted
bigger crowds in New Zealand than Australia when he toured, and New
Zealanders have been in the vanguard of its evolution - bass-heavy
instrumental dub reggae and drum'n'bass.

Evoking the ANZAC spirit this weekend, the cream of Aotearoa and
some Australian acts will join in an east coast tour, with
Melbourne's show taking place at the Palace in St Kilda on
Sunday.

The trans-Tasman tour also launches the Dub Conspiracy label
(distributed by MGM) that will unite New Zealand dub sounds under
one roof. In a clever marketing move, 7000 punters will receive a
free sample of the label's songs when they buy tickets to the
shows.

The line-up is headed by New Zealand's biggest live
dub/drum'n'bass act, Salmonella Dub, who won awards for best album,
best live act, best single and best dub-reggae act at the recent
New Zealand Music Awards. Their world-class status was confirmed
with an offer to perform at the Glastonbury Festival in
Britain.

"Having one of the world's premier drum'n'bass acts, Concord
Dawn, added to the bill, plus a rare appearance in Australia by Fat
Freddy's Drop - without doubt one of the most amazing live acts in
New Zealand - and a new incarnation from Kye from Wicked Beats, is
going to make these shows something not to be missed," say
co-organisers Andrew Penman and Mark Sequeira.

The show is expected to sell out, so get in early.

DUB CONSPIRACY

WHERE The Palace, St KildaWHEN Sunday at 8.30pmHOW MUCH $55 pre-sale, $60 at the door, if
availableDETAILS Tel: 132 849, 9534 0655; www.ticketek.com.au